Thoracic Research and Practice
Original Article

Inappropriate Utilization of Antibiotics in COPD Exacerbations

1.

Department of Pulmonology, University of Health Sciences, Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey

2.

Department of Pulmonology, University of Health Sciences, Süreyyapasa Chest Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey

3.

School of Medical Sciences Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey

4.

Department of Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery, Health Sciences University Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey

Thorac Res Pract 2020; 21: 397-403
DOI: 10.5152/TurkThoracJ.2020.19074
Read: 1928 Downloads: 725 Published: 09 December 2020

OBJECTIVE: Most exacerbations are mild to moderate, and antibiotic treatment for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is recommended for patients with severe exacerbations or severe underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the patient factors that are associated with the prescription of antibiotics for inappropriate indication in AECOPD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was an observational cross-sectional study conducted in an outpatient clinic. The patients diagnosed with AECOPD and prescribed an antibiotic by a pulmonary physician were enrolled in the study. These prescriptions were documented by the pharmacist who asked the patient about the three cardinal symptoms. Appropriate and inappropriate prescription groups were defined by the types of exacerbations, as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) COPD report.

RESULTS: There were 138 patients, predominantly male (83%), with a mean age of 64 (±9) years. A total of 64% of the prescriptions were appropriate; however, there were 50 (36%) patients with inappropriate antibiotic prescription according to the mentioned criteria. When we compared the patient factors between the appropriate and inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, Forced expiratory volume in first second % (FEV1%) predicted, FEV1 ml, forced vital capacity (FVC) ml, FEV1/FVC, and amount (packs/year) of smoking (p>0.05 for all parameters). FVC% was statistically significantly lower in the appropriate antibiotic prescription group compared with that in the inappropriate antibiotic prescription group (p=0.049).

CONCLUSION: This study shows that most pulmonary physicians have a tendency to prescribe antibiotics for AECOPD according to the defined GOLD criteria. However, some of the physicians also prefer to prescribe antibiotics self-directedly, irrespective of the GOLD criteria. A physician-based questionnaire can be completed for future studies to define the underlying reasons for antibiotic prescription demands for cases of mild AECOPD.

Cite this article as: Varol Y, Karakurt Z, Çırak AK, et al. Inappropriate utilization of antibiotics in COPD exacerbations. Turk Thorac J 2020; 21(6): 397-403.

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